Grounding member for coaxial cable connector

ABSTRACT

A connector including coupling and sleeve flanges defining opposing recesses separated by an axial gap along an elongate axis. The connector also includes a arcuate bridge member radially biased outwardly against at least one of the internal contact surfaces of the opposing recesses and spanning the axial gap. The arcuate bridge member maintains electrical conductivity across the axial gap even when the sleeve does not electrically contact the coupling member. At least one of the contact surfaces defines a conical surface which is responsive to the radially biased conductive bridge member to produce a radial force against the internal contact surfaces. The radial force produces an axial force component along the elongate axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit andpriority of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/920,150,filed on Oct. 22, 2015, entitled “BAND SPRING CONTINUITY MEMBER FORCOAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR” which is a continuation-in-part of, and claimsthe benefit and priority of, U.S. Non-Provisional patent applicationSer. No. 13/479,123, filed on May 23, 2012, entitled “COAXIAL CABLECONNECTOR WITH CONDUCTIVE SEAL” which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/490,373, filed on May 26,2011. The entire contents of such applications are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to cable connectors; and moreparticularly, to a new and improved connector for connecting a coaxialcable to a RF device, such as, a home entertainment system, televisionset, or other device.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a connector including a post, asleeve or body member, and a coupling member each having a flangemember. The flange members of the sleeve and coupling member haverecesses each defining an internal contact surface separated by an axialgap. The connector also includes an arcuate bridge member radiallybiased outwardly against at least one of the internal contact surfacesand spanning the axial gap. The arcuate bridge member maintains anelectrical ground path across the axial gap even when the sleeve doesnot electrically contact the coupling member.

Another embodiment of the connector relates to a coaxial cable connectorwherein the recesses include at least one conical surface which isresponsive to a radially biased conductive bridge member to produce aradial force against the internal contact surfaces such that an axialforce component is generated along the conical surface. The conductivebridge member spans the axial gap so as to maintain an electrical groundpath across the axial gap even when the sleeve does not electricallycontact the coupling member. Furthermore, the conductive bridge memberconstantly biases the flange of the coupling member against the flangeof the post to urge the post against an interface port.

In one embodiment the conductive bridge member is an arcuate bridgemember having an outwardly directed contact surface complementing theconical surface of the internal contact surface. In another embodiment,the conductive bridge member is a coil spring having a diameterdimension which is oversized relative to the size of the recesses suchthat when the connector is in an assembled state, the coil springdeforms radially such that an axial component of force is produced.Specifically, the axial component is produced by the interaction of thecoil spring with the conical surface of the coupling member.

Another embodiment relates to a coaxial cable connector wherein asealing member is disposed between the flange of the post and theinwardly directed flange of the coupling member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more readily appreciated andunderstood from consideration of the following detailed description ofvarious embodiments of the present invention when taken together withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view of one embodiment with a cable andseal in a loosely assembled position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in section of the conductive seal of FIG. 1in a loosely assembled position prior to installation according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is another enlarged sectional view in detail of the conductiveseal of FIG. 1 in a fully tightened position according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment utilizinga conductive spring member and illustrating the cable in an assembledposition;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 5-5 of FIG. 4according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in detail of the spring member of FIG. 4shown in a tightly assembled position according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 7 is another sectional view in detail of the spring member of FIG.4 in a loosely assembled position according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section view of still another embodimentutilizing a flat spring as a conductive bridge member and being shown ina fully assembled position;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 9-9 of FIG. 8according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view in detail of the seal and springin a tightly assembled position according to an exemplary embodiment;and

FIG. 11 is another enlarged sectional view in detail of the seal andspring of FIG. 8 in a loosely assembled position according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12a is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodimentutilizing a radially biased hybrid band having an inclined surface toimpose an axially biasing force to urge the flange of the couplingmember into the flange of the post;

FIG. 12b is an enlarged view of a pair of face-to-face recesses formedin the sleeve and coupling member of the connector showing movement ofthe hybrid band from a tightened state (shown in dashed lines) to aloose state (shown in solid lines) wherein the coupling member is biasedagainst the flange 16 of the post 12.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the recess employing another embodimentof the hybrid arcuate bridge member;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of another embodiment of the inventiveconnector including a recess having inclined surfaces to effect an axialbiasing force on the flange of the coupling member to urge the flange ofthe post into contact with an interface port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for a novel and improvedcompression connector for cables, and specifically, for coaxial cables.For example, in F-connectors designed specifically for connection to aport or terminal of an entertainment or security system, an electricallyconductive, watertight seal is disclosed herein for use in combinationwith an annular coupling member to maintain optimum electricalconductivity between the coaxial cable and port. In one embodiment, anelectrically conductive seal is in the form of a rubber or resilientO-ring containing electrically conductive particles and is mounted so asto be compressible between a port and the end of the cable connector.

In another embodiment, a conductive spring is utilized in combinationwith an elastomeric seal and a spring mounted between opposing orconfronting surface portions of an outer connector sleeve and a couplingmember. In still another embodiment, a conductive spring in the form ofan arcuate band is mounted between the opposing or confronting surfaceportions of the connector sleeve and coupling member, but spaced orremoved away from the seal member.

Coaxial cables often include inner and outer concentric conductorsseparated by a dielectric insulator and encased or covered by an outerjacket of a rubber-like material. Numerous end connectors have beendevised to effect a secure mechanical and electrical connection betweena connector assembly (e.g., a coaxial cable connector) and the end ofthe coaxial cable, typically by having the inner conductor anddielectric insulator extend through an inner sleeve of the connectorassembly while the outer conductor and jacket are inserted into anannular space between the inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The outersleeve is then crimped in a radially inward direction or otherwisecompressed, etc. to securely clamp the end of the cable within theconnector, and a fastener such as a nut on the opposite end of theconnector is then connected to a port or terminal.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,949 illustrates a coaxial cable connector of thetype described and with a somewhat modified form of watertight sealwhich is interposed between confronting surface portions of a flange atthe end of the inner sleeve and the end of a coupling member whichextends from the post or terminal. Nevertheless, in certainapplications, there is a continuing need for a compression-type coaxialcable and connector which can achieve improved mechanical and electricalconnection between the coaxial cable connector and the port or terminalincluding a novel and improved watertight but electrically conductiveseal which will maintain the necessary conductivity and which is mountedin such a way as to resist accidental loosening of the coupling memberbetween the connector and port or terminal.

Referring in more detail to the drawings, one embodiment is illustratedin FIGS. 1 to 3 wherein the assembly is made up of a connector 10 forconnecting a first electrically conductive bridge member, such as, astandard coaxial cable C to a second electrically conductive member,such as, a port or terminal P on different components of a homeentertainment system, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment,connector 10 includes an elongated thin-walled inner sleeve 12 or postat an entrance end. In some embodiments, sleeve 12 increases inthickness along a mid-portion into an external groove 14 and terminatesin an external shoulder 16. Connector 10 further includes an outerthin-walled sleeve 18 extending from a point slightly beyond the sleeve12 at the entrance end, and in some embodiments being of uniformthickness along its greater length. Sleeve 18 may be provided with anexternal groove which is flanked at one end by external shoulder 22.

In one embodiment, inner and outer sleeves 12 and 18 extend rearwardlyfrom the entrance end in spaced concentric relation to one another so asto form an annular space 32 therebetween for insertion of a standardcable C in a manner to be described. Inner sleeve 12 may be ofsubstantially uniform wall thickness for its greater length and have aplurality of axially spaced, annular serrations along its outer wallsurface and toward the entrance end. Outer sleeve 18 may be thin-walledalong its greater length, but gradually increases in thickness to definean external convex surface portion 36 and which has a plurality ofaxially spaced sealing rings or grooves 38 in accordance with U.S. Pat.No. 5,501,616.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a crimping ring 44 (compressionmember, etc.) of generally cylindrical configuration may be configuredto extend over at least a portion of outer sleeve 18, and may have alength generally corresponding to the length of the thin-walled sectionsof outer sleeve 18. In some embodiments, member 44 includes an innerliner 46 that may be of uniform thickness and diameter throughout whichterminates in opposed beveled ends, and an outside band 48 that may beof generally uniform thickness and diameter throughout at least aportion of its length and may be coextensive with inner liner 46. Insome embodiments, inner liner 46 is composed of a material having aslight amount of give or resilience; and outer band 48 is composed of amaterial having little or no give or compressibility, such as, a brassmaterial. Inner liner 46 and band 48 may in some embodiments be ofsubstantially corresponding thickness, and inner liner 46 may be mountedin a press-fit or other fashion inside of band 48, with its inner wallsurface being of a diameter corresponding to or slightly greater thanthe outer diameter of outer sleeve 18 at its entrance end. Inner liner46 may in some embodiments have an inner diameter less than the convexsurface portion 36 on outer sleeve 18 so that when ring 44 is axiallyadvanced, ring 44 will impart inward radial deformation to the convexsurface portion of outer sleeve 18 causing it to be contracted, asillustrated in FIG. 1, into engagement with the cable C.

The cable C is connected to the connector 10 in the usual manner byfirst preparing the leading end of the cable to fold the braided layer Bover the end of the jacket J, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Compression ring44 is aligned, as illustrated in FIG. 1, with the end of connector 10,following which the leading end of cable C is advanced throughcompression ring 44 and into annular space 32 formed between innersleeve 12 and outer sleeve 18. A standard compression tool may be usedto impart sufficient axial force to advance compression ring 44 overconvex surface portion 36 to radially deform or contract that portion ofsleeve 18 inwardly, and portion 36 will be bowed or deformed, etc. in aradially inward direction, as shown in FIG. 1, and cause jacket J, aswell as at least a portion of braided layer B, to be compressed slightlybetween inner and outer sleeves 12 and 18.

Once the installation is completed, a starter guide, if used, may beremoved from the end of the pin conductor and discarded. A compressiontool (not shown) is shown and described in detail in U.S. Pat. No.6,708,396 which is incorporated by reference herein. While the Figuresherein generally show a compression member moving axially over acompressible outer sleeve to secure a coaxial cable relative to thecoaxial connector, other forms of securing the cable may be used, suchas a deformable locking sleeve being axially compressed within aconnector body to similarly secure the coaxial cable in position. Allsuch alternative embodiments are to be understood to be within the scopeof the present disclosure.

Port or terminal P may have a hollow externally threaded extension 50 toreceive the inner conductor pin of the cable C and is coupled to the endof the connector 10 by a coupling member, such as, a nut 52 which isinternally threaded with threads 58 to mate with the external threadingon extension 50 whereby to draw extension 50 toward and/or intoengagement with flange 16 on the end of inner sleeve or post 12 ofconnector 10. In order to provide for improved conductivity betweenconnector 10 and port P, and in particular to maintain the necessaryconductivity notwithstanding a poor connection or loosening of thecoupling members between the conductor pin and port P, an electricallyconductive, watertight annular seal 54 (e.g., a conductive O-ring,resilient member, elastomeric member, etc.) may mounted in a groove 14adjacent to flange 16 and coupling member 52.

Coupling member 52 may extend forwardly from an end wall 56 over andbeyond flange 16, and may be internally threaded to facilitateconnection to extension 50 of the port P. Exterior surface 60 ofcoupling member 52 may be provided with suitable flats (e.g., agenerally hexagonal configuration, etc.) for engagement by a wrench orother suitable tool to rotate coupling member 52 independently from theremainder of connector 10.

According to an exemplary embodiment, seal 54 may take the form of anO-ring, and may be composed of an elastomeric material havingelectrically conductive particles uniformly or non-uniformly distributedwithin seal 54, one example of such particles being carbon fibers. Inthe loosely assembled position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, seal 54 is in arelaxed state and not necessarily in direct contact with the adjacent orconfronting surfaces of the flange 16 and end wall 56 of the couplingmember 52. However, when the coupling member 52 is rotated to draw theport into contacting relation to the forward end of flange 16 oppositeto seal 54, end wall 56 will be drawn toward the opposite surface offlange 16 to compress the seal 54 between the end wall 56 and flange 16,as shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. As a result, a conductive path isestablished between inner sleeve 12 and end wall 56 of coupling member52.

It will be appreciated that seal 54 will maintain the necessarycontacting relationship between the confronting surfaces notwithstandinga slight loosening between the parts, such as, as a result oftemperature changes or wear. An important advantage of utilizing awatertight, conductive seal as one member or unit is that it serves adual function of providing a watertight seal which is also electricallyconductive; and at the same time the seal diameter may be varied tocompensate for differences in connector size and the gap between theconfronting surfaces of flange 16 and end wall 56, as well as variationsin type of connector.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate another embodiment of an electrically conductivecompressible member in the form of a coil spring 70, which may bemounted under compression in a recessed area or gap 72 between end wall56 and external shoulder 22 at an end of outer sleeve 18 of connector10, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-7. According to an exemplary embodiment,shoulder 22 has a squared end surface in normally abutting relation to asquared end surface on end wall 56 of coupling member 52. In someembodiments, rather than to replace a standard O-ring seal 15, springcoil 70 may be mounted under compression within the complementaryrecessed portions that define gap 72 between the respective confrontingsurface portions of end wall 56 of coupling member 52 and shoulder 22 ofouter sleeve 18.

As best seen from the end view of FIG. 5, it is not necessary for thespring 70 to extend around the entire circumference of the connectorbody to maintain an electrical ground path between outer sleeve 18 andcoupling member 52. However, spring 70 may be of a diameter and undersufficient compression to expand and to maintain electrical contactbetween sleeve 18 and coupling member 52 (e.g., between the confrontingsurfaces of sleeve 18 and coupling member 52) notwithstanding slightseparation between them, for example, as shown in FIG. 6.

Another embodiment of a conductive ring is illustrated in FIGS. 8-10,wherein like parts to those of FIGS. 1-7 are correspondingly enumerated,and, in a manner similar to that described in connection with theembodiment of FIGS. 4-7, a spring-like, generally circular band 80 maybe mounted in a gap 82 defined by annular recessed portions in facingrelation to one another in external shoulder 22 of outer sleeve 18 andend wall 56 of coupling member 52. According to an exemplary embodiment,band 80 may be composed of a resilient electrically conductive materialsuch as a metal which is normally flat, but when inserted into gap 82may be bent, as illustrated

In FIG. 9, so that opposite ends of band 80 yieldingly engagecircumferentially spaced surface portions of the outer wall of gap 82,and an intermediate or central portion of band 80 is in contact with theinner wall of gap 82. Also, band 80 may be of a width sufficient toextend along a substantial portion of the width of gap 82. Asillustrated in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, band 80 will maintainelectrical conductivity between outer sleeve 18 and coupling member 52notwithstanding separation between the components; and when member 52 isadjacent the end of the sleeve 18, as shown in FIG. 11, band 80 willtraverse a substantial width of gap 82.

According to alternative embodiments, the conductive ring members 70 and80 could be composed of various materials or composite materials whichwould offer the same characteristics of resiliency and conductivity. Forexample, one or both of members 70 and 80 could be composed of an innermatrix of plastic with an outer coating of a conductive material, suchas, the carbon fibers referred to in connection with FIGS. 1-3. As inthe case of helical spring member 70, band 80 does not have to extendthroughout the entire annular gap, for example, as illustrated in FIG.9. In this respect, band 80 would assume a somewhat arcuateconfiguration when inserted into the gap between the confronting surfaceportions of the shoulder 22 and end wall 56.

Although the different forms of connector sleeves are illustrated foruse in F-connectors as in FIGS. 1 to 11, it will be apparent that theyare readily conformable for use with other types of connectors, such as,but not limited to BNC and RCA connectors. It is therefore to beunderstood that while selected forms of invention are herein set forthand described, the above and other modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims and reasonable equivalents thereof.

In other embodiments of the disclosure shown in FIGS. 12a -14, therecesses cooperate with the arcuate bridge member to produce an axialforce on the coupling member which, in turn, urges the post against theport. As such, the post is “constantly biased” against the port toachieve enhanced grounding of the connector and coaxial cable. Morespecifically, in FIG. 12a , the recesses 72 a, 72 b of the couplingmember 52 and outer sleeve 18 or body member define internal contactsurfaces 92 and 94, respectively, which are axially spaced along theelongate axis 10A of the connector 10. The contact surface 92 defined bythe recess 72 a of the coupling member 52 diverges outwardly so as toform a cone or frustum shaped surface. The contact surface 94 defined bythe sleeve 18 is normal to the elongate axis 10A and parallel to thebase of the cone. In the described embodiment, the contact surfaces 92,94 are separated along the elongate axis 10A by an axial distance GA. Ina tightened state the contact surfaces 92, 94 are separated by an axialgap GA1 whereas in a loose state the contact surfaces 92, 94 areseparated by an axial gap GA2. In the loose state, only a few threads ofthe coupling member 52 may be engaged with the threads of the interfaceport P.

In the described embodiment, each of the recesses 72 a, 72 b of thecoupling member 52 and outer sleeve 18, also define outwardly directedcontact surfaces 96 and 98, respectively, which are similarly spacedalong the elongate axis 10A. Moreover, the inwardly and outwardlydirected contact surfaces 92, 96 of the coupling member 52 and theinwardly and outwardly directed contact surfaces 94, 98 of the outersleeve 18 each define a radial gap GR. Moreover, at the point where thesleeve and coupling member 18, 52 are separated, the inwardly andoutwardly directed contact surfaces 92, 94, 96, 98 are essentiallyequidistant from the elongate axis 10A of the connector 10.

The conductive band or arcuate bridge member 70H is similar to thepreviously described flat band embodiment, however, the arcuate bridgemember 70H defines an outwardly directed contact surface 95 (See FIG.12b ) which complements the shape of at least one of the internalcontact surfaces 92, 94. That is, for example, at least a portion of thearcuate bridge member 70H includes a positively inclined surfacecomplementing a negatively inclined surface of the internal contactsurface 92 of the coupling member 52. The outward bias of the arcuatebridge member 70H, which is created by spring loading the ends 70E ofthe band 70H against the internal contact surfaces 92, 94, produces aconstant bias of the coupling member 52 against the flange 16 of thepost 12. This, in turn, urges the post 12 into electrical contact withthe outer conductor OC of the port P. On the other hand, the positivelyinclined or sloping surface 95 of the arcuate bridge member 70H causesthe opposite side or portion of the band 70H to abut, i.e., to be urgedagainst the radially or vertically aligned contact surface 96 of thesleeve 18. As such, an electrical ground path is maintained across theaxial gap GP between the coupling member 52 and the sleeve 18.

In the described embodiment, the positively inclined, internal, contactsurface 92 of the arcuate bridge member 70H defines an angle α within arange of approximately thirty degrees (30°) to sixty degrees (60°).Similarly, the internal contact surface 92 of the coupling member 52defines a negatively sloping surface within the same thirty to sixtydegree range (30°-60°).

While the internal contact surface 94 of the outer sleeve 18 is shown tobe parallel to the elongate axis 10A, or a straight angle, it should beappreciated that the internal contact surface 94 may form othercomplementary configurations. For example, the arcuate bridge member 70Hmay include an outwardly directed flange 97 for being received within anannular notch or groove in the internal contact surface 94 of the outersleeve 18. The notch or groove 99 may function to retain the arcuatebridge member 70H within the outer sleeve of the connector 10, or topreposition the arcuate bridge member 70H during transport and assemblyof the connector 10.

The arcuate bridge member 70H spans the gap GP (FIG. 12b ) between thecoupling member 52 and the outer sleeve 18. Additionally, the arcuatebridge member 70H spans the radial gap GR between one of the outwardlydirected contact surfaces 96, 98 and one of the internal contactsurfaces 92, 94 of the coupling member 52 and outer sleeve 18. As such,the band 70H facilities grounding when the axial and radial gaps GA, GRvary in dimension and placement. That is, the arcuate bridge member 70Henables the coupling member 52 and the sleeve 18 to separate and/orbecome radially misaligned, e.g., the outer sleeve 18 being shiftedradially with respect to the coupling member 52. In FIG. 12b , thearcuate bridge member 70H is radially spaced from the contact surface 96such that an initial radial gap RP is created. The gap RP is produced toallow the arcuate bridge member 70H to move radially, thereby allowingthe complementary conical surfaces 94, 95 to slide axially relative toeach other.

In the described embodiment, the arcuate bridge member 70H may befabricated from a resilient conductive material such as a copper alloyhaving a mixture of copper, tin and steel to provide the proper springstiffness. Alternatively, the arcuate bridge member 70H may befabricated from a thermoplastic having a conductive coating bonded tothe outwardly directed contact surface of the arcuate bridge member 70H.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, each of the recesses 72 a, 72 b, may include conicalor frustoconical surfaces on each of the inwardly and outwardly directedcontact surfaces 92, 96 of the coupling member 52 and the inwardly andoutwardly directed contact surfaces 94, 98 of the outer sleeve 18. Asused herein “conical surface” means any frustoconical, sloping orinclined surface capable of producing an axial component of force whenreacting a radial force. The conical surfaces 92, 94, 96, 98 may form aV-shaped or U-shaped recess having converging side surfaces 92, 94, 96,98 separated by a radial distance RD (see FIG. 13). In FIG. 13, theinternal contact surfaces 92, 94 each define an angle θ₁ whichcomplements the outwardly facing contact surface of the arcuate bridgemember 70H. In FIG. 14, a coil spring 70C substitutes for the arcuatebridge member 70H, and relies on the deformation of each turn of thecoil to (i) span the axial gap for grounding proposes, and (ii) producea biasing force on the coupling member 52 to urge the post 12 againstthe port P. Whether a arcuate bridge member 70H or coil spring 70C areused to electrically span the axial gap GA, the sloping inwardly andoutwardly facing contact surfaces 92, 94, 96, 98 produce axialcomponents FA of the radial force RF which are additive to enhance thebiasing force produced by the arcuate bridge member 70H or coil spring70C.

Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments describedabove, where one or more of its components, functionalities orstructures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or moreof the components, functionalities or structures of a differentembodiment described above.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to theembodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishingits intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed inthe foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in theart that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure willcome to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of theteaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein,as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a genericand descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the presentdisclosure, nor the claims which follow.

1. A coaxial cable connector, comprising: a post comprising a firstflange and defining an elongate axis; a sleeve positioned around thepost and comprising a second flange, the post and the sleeve configuredto retain an end of a coaxial cable; a coupling member comprising athird flange and positioned around the forward end of the post andconfigured to be disposed at least partially between the first flangeand the second flange; the flanges of the sleeve and coupling membersforming recesses each defining an internal contact surface, the internalcontact surfaces separated by an axial gap; a grounding member, disposedin combination with one of the sleeve and the coupling members andbiased outwardly against at least one of the internal contact surfaces,the grounding member configured to produce a force component in a radialdirection to compensate for axial separation between the sleeve andcoupling members, the radial force causing the grounding member tobridge the axial gap and maintain electrical grounding between thesleeve and the coupling members even when the sleeve does notelectrically contact the coupling member.
 2. The coaxial cable connectorof claim 1 wherein the grounding member is integral with one of thesleeve and coupling members.
 3. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1wherein the grounding member is non-integral with one of the sleeve andcoupling members.
 4. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1 at least oneof the internal contact surfaces of the sleeve and coupling membersdefine an inclined surface.
 5. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1wherein at least one of the internal contact surfaces of the sleeve andcoupling members define an inclined surface.
 6. The coaxial cableconnector of claim 5 wherein the external contact surface of thegrounding member defines a complementary inclined surface.
 7. Thecoaxial cable connector of claim 1 wherein the grounding member isconnected to one of the sleeve and coupling members by an outwardlydirected flange received within an annular groove of one of the sleeveand coupling members.
 8. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1 whereinthe grounding member comprises a C-shaped arcuate bridge member.
 9. Thecoaxial cable connector of claim 1 wherein the external contact surfaceof the grounding member defines a frustum-shaped surface.
 10. Thecoaxial cable connector of claim 1 wherein the internal contact surfacescollectively define a V-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
 11. Thecoaxial cable connector of claim 1 wherein the internal contact surfacesof the sleeve and coupling members are radially equidistant from theelongate axis at the location of the axial gap.
 12. A connectorcomprising: a post comprising a first flange and defining an elongateaxis; a sleeve positioned around the post and comprising a secondflange, the post and the sleeve configured to retain an end of a coaxialcable; a coupling member comprising a third flange and positioned aroundthe forward end of the post and configured to be disposed at leastpartially between the first flange and the second flange; the flanges ofthe sleeve and the coupling member forming recesses defininginwardly-facing internal contact surfaces separated by an axial gap,each annular recess having an outwardly-facing external contact surfacewhich, in combination with the respective internal contact surface,defines a radial gap; and a grounding member disposed in combinationwith one of the sleeve and coupling members, the grounding membercomprising an outwardly-facing external contact surface configured toengage the inwardly-facing internal contact surface of one of the sleeveand coupling members, the outwardly-facing external contact surfacespanning the axial gap therebetween and biased radially outwardlyagainst the inwardly-facing internal contact surfaces to maintain anelectrical ground path therebetween even when the sleeve does notelectrically contact the coupling member.
 13. The connector of claim 12wherein the grounding member is integral with one of the sleeve andcoupling members.
 14. The connector of claim 12 wherein the groundingmember is non-integral with one of the sleeve and coupling members. 15.The connector of claim 12 wherein the recesses are disposed insubstantially face-to-face relation.
 16. The connector of claim 12wherein the grounding member comprises an arcuate conductive bridgeportion which spans an arc greater than about one-hundred and eightydegrees (180) around the elongate axis of the post.
 17. The connector ofclaim 16 wherein the arcuate conductive bridge portion is substantiallyC-shaped.
 18. The connector of claim 12 wherein the internal contactsurfaces are radially equidistant from the elongate axis at the locationof the axial gap.
 19. The connector of claim 18 wherein the groundingmember includes an arcuate band having one portion which contacts aninternal contact surface of one of the sleeve and coupling members andanother portion which contacts an external contact surface of one of thesleeve and coupling members so as to electrically span the radial gap.20. The connector of claim 12 wherein the ends of the band contact theinternal contact surfaces of the recesses and wherein an intermediateportion of the band contacts the outwardly facing contact surface of theband to electrically span the radial gap.
 21. The connector of claim 12further comprising an annular seal interposing the third flange of thecoupling member and the first flange of the post.
 22. A connectorcomprising: a post defining an elongate axis; a sleeve positioned aroundthe post and configured to retain an end of a coaxial cable; a couplingmember positioned around the forward end of the post; the sleeve andcoupling members forming recesses defining internal contact surfacesseparated by an axial gap; and a grounding member disposed incombination with one of the sleeve and coupling members, the groundingmember comprising an external contact surface configured to engage theinternal contact surface of one of the sleeve and coupling members, theexternal contact surface spanning the axial gap therebetween and biasedradially outwardly against the internal contact surfaces to maintainelectrical grounding therebetween even when the sleeve does notelectrically contact the coupling member.
 23. The connector of claim 22wherein the grounding member is integral with one of the sleeve andcoupling members.
 24. The connector of claim 22 wherein the groundingmember is non-integral with one of the sleeve and coupling members. 25.The connector of claim 22 wherein the recesses are disposed insubstantially face-to-face relation.
 26. The connector of claim 22wherein the grounding member comprises an arcuate conductive bridgeportion which spans an arc greater than about one-hundred and eightydegrees (180) around the elongate axis of the post.
 27. The connector ofclaim 26 wherein the arcuate conductive bridge portion is substantiallyC-shaped.
 28. The connector of claim 22 wherein the internal contactsurfaces are radially equidistant from the elongate axis at the locationof the axial gap.
 29. A grounding member between a sleeve and a couplingmember of a coaxial cable connector when the sleeve and coupling membersare not electrically connected, comprising: an arcuate conductiveportion having a generally C-shaped configuration and an externalcontact surface; the arcuate conductive portion configured to: (i) bedisposed within a recess formed in at least one of the sleeve andcoupling members, (ii) be radially biased outwardly such that theexternal contact surface is configured to engage an internal contactsurface of at least one of the sleeve and coupling members, and (iii)span an axial gap disposed between the recesses of the sleeve andcoupling members.
 30. The grounding member of claim 29 wherein theexternal contact surface comprises a coil-shaped arcuate bridge.
 31. Thegrounding member of claim 29 wherein the external contact surfacecomprises at least one frustum-shaped surface.
 32. The grounding memberof claim 29 wherein the external contact surface comprises a pair ofopposed frustum-shaped surfaces which produce a substantially V-shapedcross-sectional configuration.
 33. The grounding member of claim 29further comprising a flange projected from an edge of one of theexternal contact surfaces, the flange configured to be received withinan annular groove of one of the sleeve and coupling members.
 34. Thegrounding member of claim 29 wherein the arcuate conductive portioncomprises an arcuate conductive band.
 35. The grounding member of claim29 wherein the arcuate conductive portion comprises a separate componentfrom the sleeve and coupling members.